Tyler. Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 Looking at getting a small reel for my trout rod. Plfueger President 20 or the Lew’s laser lite 50. Price difference is $50 for Plfueger and $30 for Lew’s. What’s the better brand? Quote
swhit140 Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 A lot of people like the Plueger President spinning reels. Quote
Terrova80 Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 I have Pfluegers and really like them. Can't say anything about Lew's. Quote
GrumpyOlPhartte Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 I happen to be a big fan of Lew’s baitcasters, but one of my favorite spinning reels was a Pflueger President 30. In my opinion the Presidents are sort of like the Timex watches of spinning reels ... don’t cost a lot but do what they are supposed to do and ya can’t kill them. I’d be willing to bet the President 20 is every bit as good as the President 30. 1 Quote
NELABassguy Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 I have the President in a 2500 size and really like it, I also have the Lews. Its a wash on quality. I was able to find the President for $25 at Academy so I stocked up on them though. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 9, 2020 Super User Posted February 9, 2020 Another President fan here. Have a 25 that I use for UL/Panfish/Trout. Another option, and another reel I've been liking is a Pflueger Trion...really well built for the price. Get the 25 size in that and you're all set for less than the President, bit more than the Lews. Quote
Shimano_1 Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 I'd say take your pick. Either one will likely give u more than your money's worth. The president is tried and true and if the lews last a cple years its given u ur money's worth Quote
The Bassman Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 I'm a Shimano FB but what confuses me about Lews is how aggressive they have been in the baitcast dept. But IMHO have lagged behind in spinning. They're flagship reel is 130.00 and over 9 oz. They could jump right in to the mid/higher level and sell a lot of reels. I know this strays from the op's question but has just always left me wondering. 2 Quote
Oklahoma Mike Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 Another vote for the president. IMO Pflueger makes the best spinning reels for your buck by a wide margin. 2 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted February 10, 2020 Super User Posted February 10, 2020 I am a Lew’s fan but I would pick the President over the Laser Lite. There are some great Lew’s spinning reels out there. I recommend the Lew’s Mach 2 metal speed spin $49.99 on sale or the Mach Crush $79.99 on sale. The Lew’s Mach Smash spinning reel is MSP $49.99 and is a great reel if you can get past the neon red color. The best bang for the buck IMO is the Mach 2 I have had mine for 3 season and it still performs flawlessly Quote
Tyler. Posted February 10, 2020 Author Posted February 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said: I am a Lew’s fan but I would pick the President over the Laser Lite. There are some great Lew’s spinning reels out there. I recommend the Lew’s Mach 2 metal speed spin $49.99 on sale or the Mach Crush $79.99 on sale. The Lew’s Mach Smash spinning reel is MSP $49.99 and is a great reel if you can get past the neon red color. The best bang for the buck IMO is the Mach 2 I have had mine for 3 season and it still performs flawlessly These for ultra light or heavier line? Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted February 10, 2020 Super User Posted February 10, 2020 14 minutes ago, Tyler. said: These for ultra light or heavier line? I have the Mach 2 100 and Mach Smash 200 for trout fishing. 4-6# mono on them respectively. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 10, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 10, 2020 The newer model of President is not near the quality of the President of old. I bought one not long ago and really regret the purchase. I've been switching my lower end spinning reels to Daiwa Revros and really wish I'd have bought one of those instead of the President as they're very nice reels and even cheaper than the President. 4 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted February 10, 2020 Super User Posted February 10, 2020 7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: The newer model of President is not near the quality of the President of old. I bought one not long ago and really regret the purchase. That’s sad to hear. I have an old President that’s still going strong. It’s from when they made them with the wooden handle knob. Quote
Russ E Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 I was also disappointed with my last President. It feels cheaply made. Geary and not very smooth. My latest spinning reel Is a Diawa regal LT- 2500XH. I bought it for $59.00 at bass pro. It can probably be found elsewhere cheaper. It is extremely smooth and well balanced. I will be buying another soon. Quote
Hook2Jaw Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: The newer model of President is not near the quality of the President of old. I bought one not long ago and really regret the purchase. I've been switching my lower end spinning reels to Daiwa Revros and really wish I'd have bought one of those instead of the President as they're very nice reels and even cheaper than the President. The Revros is a great reel. Quote
suzuki2903 Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 vote for lews! good quality at a reasonable price.... and their customer service is far better then most. 1 Quote
Chance_Taker4 Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 If I am going to go $50 I would go with the Lews MAch Smash. I have the Speed Spin and Custom Pro. Lews are very underrated in the spinning reel market. Like has been stated before Pfluegar changed their lineup and their reels do not seem as nice as the were once before. 1 Quote
Tyler. Posted February 10, 2020 Author Posted February 10, 2020 22 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said: If I am going to go $50 I would go with the Lews MAch Smash. I have the Speed Spin and Custom Pro. Lews are very underrated in the spinning reel market. Like has been stated before Pfluegar changed their lineup and their reels do not seem as nice as the were once before. I am looking at putting 2-6 lb on it for ultra light. Making a trout fishing rod and reel. Most are 1/3 lb. 2 lb fluor to 6 lb braid. You think the Smash is too much reel for such application? Quote
Chance_Taker4 Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 22 minutes ago, Tyler. said: I am looking at putting 2-6 lb on it for ultra light. Making a trout fishing rod and reel. Most are 1/3 lb. 2 lb fluor to 6 lb braid. You think the Smash is too much reel for such application? Sorry I forgot about what you were using for. I would change my suggestion to the Lews Speed Spin 10 for ultra light fishing. Quote
Tyler. Posted February 10, 2020 Author Posted February 10, 2020 On 2/9/2020 at 3:46 PM, MN Fisher said: Another President fan here. Have a 25 that I use for UL/Panfish/Trout. Another option, and another reel I've been liking is a Pflueger Trion...really well built for the price. Get the 25 size in that and you're all set for less than the President, bit more than the Lews. I fount the President at Wal-Mart for $37. Could not pass it up. It feels solid. I was upgrading from a shakespeare so I bet I'll be happy with it. I have another Pflueger I got years ago. It came with two spools though. Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted February 10, 2020 Super User Posted February 10, 2020 I have several older presidents. They are good reels. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 10, 2020 Super User Posted February 10, 2020 21 minutes ago, Tyler. said: I fount the President at Wal-Mart for $37. Could not pass it up. It feels solid. I was upgrading from a shakespeare so I bet I'll be happy with it. I have another Pflueger I got years ago. It came with two spools though. Ya, they only come with one spool now. You can e-mail Pflueger, or there are a couple places that do sell spare spools - but they run about $30 each...I'd just get another reel at Wally-World for that price. Quote
Michigander Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 I have had three Pfluegers of various price points and one low end Lews over the years and I regret buying each of them. For a sub $40 reel, the two best I have encountered are: Shimano Sienna for light line. Penn Pursuit III for heavier line. I think it is really hard to beat these reels until you get past the $75 mark. 1 Quote
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